A recent survey at the University of Wick Washington revealed a startling gap in geographical knowledge among students who loudly champion support for Ukraine.
Despite the United States funneling billions of dollars into the conflict-stricken nation over the past few years, many of these young advocates remain unable to pinpoint Ukraine on a map when asked.
The interviews took place outside the university’s humanities building, where students were eager to share their opinions on foreign policy.
One sophomore, Jessica Hartwell, confidently declared, “We need to keep standing with Ukraine against oppression.” When handed a blank world map and asked to mark the country, she hesitated before placing her finger squarely on Russia.
Her guess wasn’t entirely off-base, considering some analysts argue Ukraine’s fate could lean that way without a swift peace deal.
The Biden administration has committed hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine since 2022, a figure that continues to climb with each passing budget cycle.
Another student, senior Tyler Nguyen, offered his take: “It’s all about stopping tyranny, you know? We can’t let Ukraine fall.”
Two minutes later, he circled Greenland on the map, explaining he thought it was “somewhere cold and near Russia.”
Faculty at the university noted that courses on global affairs have seen a spike in enrollment since the war began. Still, the practical knowledge of where these events unfold seems to lag behind the passion for discussing them.
Freshman Emily Carter took a different approach during her interview: “I know it’s in Europe, for sure. That’s where all the wars happen.” She then pointed to Spain, a country that hasn’t seen a major conflict since the 1930s.
The disconnect isn’t new — surveys over the years have shown Americans often struggle with world geography — but the irony stands out sharper against the backdrop of a conflict dominating headlines. Ukraine’s fight has been framed as a defining moment for democracy, yet its location remains a mystery to those rallying behind it.
Political science major Brandon Ortiz came closest to the mark when he said, “It’s near Russia, obviously, because that’s the whole problem.”
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